A determinedly eccentric old guy's journey while living a bicycle lifestyle.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Handling the Cold

It may seem paradoxical to
talk about gloves and cold weather as Spring arrives and even moreover because
here in NorthCentral Florida the cold times are neither as cold nor as lengthy
as much of the rest of the U.S. experiences. Yesterday, though, I did not wear
my cold weather gloves thinking I could easily tolerate 40 degrees. Tolerate I
did, but comfortable would have been much better.

When I began riding the
Schwinn I saw quickly the value of good gloves and my first pair were Rhode
Gear crocheted back and my experience with that first pair has kept me wearing
crocheted back gloves. I’ve never found anything better. They were more padded
than modern gloves and the leather was either superior or the chrome tanning
made them so. Nonetheless, I still prefer crocheted gloves to more modern
designs. I like the feel of cotton backs better than stretchy fabric, I guess,
especially when I wipe my sweaty brow.

Currently, I alternate among
four pairs; three Nashbar and one PlanetBike. I have used and abused gloves
from both Avenir (which I managed to lose somehow) and AeroTech Designs, but
find Nashbar’s most durable. As documented previously, PlanetBike’s Kevlar
gloves suffered from a manufacturing flaw which has been resolved. AeroTech’s
offering, while comfortable, came apart where the velcor fastener connects to
the gloves proper. A local clothing repair place fixed them, but they came
apart a second time. The Avenir’s were a good fit, though they were longer and
fastened higher on the wrist more like a cuff. Unlike many black gloves they
did not discolor my hands when they got sweaty the first time. Maybe I will
purchase another pair eventually.

Nashbar and PlanetBike Crochet Back Gloves

The one pair of
non-crocheted gloves also came from AeroTech. I chose XLs and the fit proved to
be bad around the thumb. I suspect Ls would fit much better. Why I chose purple
is a mystery? Since neither of the AeroTechs are unusable I tucked them away as
possible back-up. Yeah, I know, with four pair in use what’s the chance I will
need a back-up pair?!

Aero Tech Designs and Avenir Gloves

A Large Thumb in an XL Thumb Hole

So, What about cold weather? It took time to find the
right equipment, but for two years I have done quite well with a set of outer
gloves and inner liner. Actual cycling gloves were more costly that seemed
reasonable for the amount of time I would actually wear gloves. Harbor Freight
provided a satisfactory outer shell; Goatskin Riding Work Gloves (WesternSafety - item #99583). Costing less than $10, they are durable and adequately
padded in the right places. Adding a pair of inserts for sub freezing
temperatures took care of all my cold weather needs; Smartwool Liner Gloves. As
with many people, wool had never been a favorite fabric. Smartwool’s merino
eliminated any problems. Cold fingers a never a problem, unless I am too
foolish to see the need for full finger protection.